Atmospheres of Giant Planets from Neptune to Gliese 229B

Abstract

Stratospheric heating, condensation, convective transport of non-equilibrium species, and deep radiative energy transport are important processes in the atmospheres of the solar jovian planets. They likely affect the atmospheres of extrasolar giant planets and brown dwarfs as well. Stratospheric temperatures control thermal fluxes in strong molecular bands, and may dramatically affect observed spectra. Condensation processes affect the appearance of an object, alter the abundances of atmospheric species, and influence the fluxes of both reflected and emitted radiation. Convection can dredge up non-thermochemical equilibrium species from the deep atmosphere to the observable atmosphere. Finally deep radiative zones can limit the effectiveness of deep convection and alter the boundary condition at which the planet radiates energy to space. Here I discuss the role these processes may play in the atmospheres of brown dwarfs and extrasolar giant planets.